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Last Updated on November 27, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir
Feeling pain on the right side of your chest and back can be scary and affect your daily life. At Liv Hospital, we get it and aim to offer top-notch healthcare. We support international patients fully.
We’ll look at the 9 main reasons for this symptom. These range from muscle and bone issues to rare heart problems. We’ll also tell you when to get medical help. Our team is here to care for you with kindness and tailored plans.
It’s important to know how right chest back pain shows up. This helps us tell it apart from other chest pains. We’re here to help you through it all.
Chest pain on the right side and back pain can show up in many ways. It’s important to know the specific symptoms to get the right medical help. Knowing the signs of right chest back pain helps figure out the cause and what to do next.
Right chest back pain can feel sharp, dull, or spread out. It might stay the same or change, and its strength can vary. Some people might also feel sick to their stomach or have trouble breathing.
The way the pain feels can tell us a lot about where it’s coming from. For example, pain that gets worse when you move or breathe deeply might be from muscles or lungs.
| Symptom | Possible Causes |
|---|---|
| Sharp pain on the right side of the chest | Muscle strain, costochondritis |
| Dull ache in the upper back and right chest | Respiratory conditions, gastrointestinal issues |
| Pain worsening with deep breathing | Pleurisy, pneumonia |
It’s key to tell right chest back pain apart from other chest pain to find the right diagnosis. Chest pain can come from the heart, lungs, stomach, or muscles.
Key Differentiators:
Knowing these details helps doctors narrow down the cause and plan the best treatment.
Musculoskeletal issues often cause right chest and back pain. This discomfort can really affect our daily lives. It’s important to know what’s causing the pain to manage and treat it well.
Muscle strains in the chest and back are common pain causes. They can happen from overuse, sudden injury, or strain during exercise. The intercostal muscles, between the ribs, can get inflamed or strained.
This leads to sharp pains that get worse with movement or deep breathing. It’s wise to see a doctor to figure out how bad the strain is and what treatment you need.
Costochondritis is when the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum gets inflamed. It can cause sharp pains or aching in the chest, sometimes spreading to the back. The pain from costochondritis can get worse with movement or pressure.
Getting a proper diagnosis is key to tell costochondritis apart from other chest pain causes.
Problems with the thoracic spine, like spondylosis, can also lead to right chest and back pain. Spondylosis is wear and tear on the spinal discs and joints, causing pain and stiffness. The thoracic spine’s close location to the rib cage means pain can spread to the chest and back.
It’s vital to treat these issues with the right medical care. This might include physical therapy, pain management, or other treatments based on your specific condition.
Understanding the musculoskeletal causes of right chest and back pain helps us navigate diagnosis and treatment. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized care. We make sure patients get the best treatment for their condition.
Respiratory issues can cause chest pain on the right side that goes to the back. This pain can be uncomfortable and worrying. Serious conditions like pleurisy, pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism need quick medical help.
Pleurisy is when the pleura, the lung’s thin membrane, gets inflamed. It can cause sharp pain that gets worse with breathing, coughing, or sneezing. The pain often happens on one side and can spread to the back or shoulder. It’s important to treat pleurisy quickly to avoid problems and ease symptoms.
Symptoms of pleurisy may include:
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid. The pain from pneumonia can be on the right side of the chest and go to the back. We stress the need for quick diagnosis and treatment to avoid serious issues, mainly in those who are more at risk.
Common symptoms of pneumonia include:
A pulmonary embolism happens when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs. This is a serious condition that needs immediate medical help. Symptoms include sudden chest pain, trouble breathing, and a fast heart rate. We urge you to recognize these signs and get emergency care right away.
Warning signs of a pulmonary embolism include:
We are dedicated to providing quick and effective care for respiratory conditions. If you have symptoms of pleurisy, pneumonia, or pulmonary embolism, getting medical help fast is key.
Gastrointestinal health is linked to pain in the right side of the chest and back. Disorders like gallbladder disease, GERD, and pancreatitis can cause this pain. It’s important to know about these conditions to get the right care.
Gallbladder disease, often due to gallstones, causes right upper abdominal pain. This pain can spread to the right chest and back. Gallstones block bile ducts, leading to severe pain called biliary colic.
Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease:
GERD causes stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, leading to heartburn and chest pain. While GERD pain is usually in the middle chest, it can also be felt on the right side and back.
GERD symptoms can be made worse by certain foods and lifestyle factors. To manage GERD, you need to change your diet and lifestyle. Sometimes, medication is needed to reduce acid.
| GERD Management Strategies | Description |
|---|---|
| Dietary Changes | Avoiding trigger foods like citrus, spicy foods, and fatty meals |
| Lifestyle Modifications | Losing weight, quitting smoking, and elevating the head of the bed |
| Medications | Using antacids, H2 blockers, or proton pump inhibitors |
Pancreatitis causes severe upper abdominal pain that can spread to the back. While the pain is usually in the middle or left upper abdomen, it can sometimes be on the right side.
Symptoms of Pancreatitis:
It’s key to understand the gastrointestinal causes of pain in the right side of the chest and back. We aim to provide thorough care that tackles both symptoms and underlying causes.
Heart problems often show up on the left side. But, pain on the right side can also be a sign of serious heart issues. We’ll look at heart-related causes of right side chest and back pain. It’s key to get medical help fast for these serious conditions.
Pericarditis is when the sac around the heart gets inflamed. It can cause sharp pain in the chest that might spread to the back and right side. Deep breathing, coughing, or lying down can make the pain worse.
Pericarditis is a serious issue that needs doctor attention. You might also feel fever, tiredness, and trouble breathing. If you have these symptoms with chest pain, get medical help right away.
Aortic dissection is when there’s a tear in the aorta’s inner layer. This is a medical emergency. It can cause severe pain in the chest and back, possibly on the right side. The pain often feels like it’s moving or spreading.
Aortic dissection needs quick medical help. Look out for sudden, severe pain, fainting, stroke symptoms, or limb problems. Catching these signs early is key for treatment.
Heart issues don’t always show up in the usual ways. Sometimes, they can cause pain on the right side of the chest and back. Or they might come with other unusual symptoms like nausea, tiredness, or trouble breathing. Knowing these variations is important for getting the right diagnosis and treatment.
We can’t stress enough how important it is to not ignore right-sided chest and back pain. If it’s severe, lasts a long time, or comes with other worrying symptoms like shortness of breath or sweating, seek help. Our team is here to provide top-notch cardiac care and help you get the best treatment for any heart-related issues.
The nerves in the chest and back can cause pain on the right side. This pain often comes from compression or irritation. We will look at three main conditions that can lead to this pain: Intercostal Neuralgia, Thoracic Radiculopathy, and Shingles.
Intercostal neuralgia happens when nerves between the ribs get compressed or irritated. This can cause sharp, stabbing, or burning pain on the right side of the chest and back. The pain may get worse with movement, deep breathing, or coughing.
Diagnosing intercostal neuralgia can be hard because its symptoms are similar to other conditions. But, a detailed check-up and tests can find the cause. Treatment might include pain medicines, physical therapy, or nerve blocks.
Thoracic radiculopathy is when nerves from the thoracic spine get compressed or irritated. It can cause pain on the right side of the chest and back. The pain might spread along the nerve’s path. It can also bring numbness, tingling, or weakness.
This condition can come from herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or spine degeneration. Doctors use physical exams, imaging, and nerve tests to diagnose it. Treatment might start with physical therapy and pain management. In severe cases, surgery might be needed.
Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, can cause severe pain on one side of the body. This pain can be on the right side of the chest and back. It can start before the rash appears, making it hard to diagnose. The rash follows the nerve path, and the pain can be very intense.
It’s important to catch shingles early to avoid complications like postherpetic neuralgia. This is a condition with ongoing pain after the rash goes away. Antiviral meds, pain relief, and other support can help manage symptoms and prevent long-term problems.
Understanding the nerve-related causes of right side chest and back pain is key to managing it. By finding the root cause, doctors can create a treatment plan. This plan aims to ease symptoms and improve life quality.
| Condition | Primary Symptoms | Treatment Options |
|---|---|---|
| Intercostal Neuralgia | Sharp, stabbing, or burning pain between the ribs | Pain relief medications, physical therapy, nerve blocks |
| Thoracic Radiculopathy | Pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along the affected nerve | Physical therapy, pain management, surgical intervention |
| Shingles (Herpes Zoster) | Severe pain, rash along the affected nerve | Antiviral medications, pain relief drugs, supportive care |
It’s key to know the less common reasons for middle back and chest pain. While common issues get more attention, it’s vital to look at rare causes too. These can also lead to pain in the upper chest and back right side.
A thoracic aortic aneurysm is a serious condition where the aorta in the chest gets bigger. It can cause severe pain in the upper chest and back right side. This pain might feel like it’s tearing. If you have sudden, severe pain, get help right away.
Key symptoms to watch for:
Esophageal problems, like spasms, can lead to chest pain that spreads to the back. These issues might be mistaken for heart problems. That’s why getting a correct diagnosis is so important.
Common esophageal disorders include:
Psychological issues, like anxiety and panic attacks, can also cause chest and back pain. These problems often come with other signs like a fast heartbeat and trouble breathing.
Recognizing the signs of anxiety-related chest pain:
It’s important to talk to doctors to figure out if your symptoms are from a mental issue or a medical problem.
Knowing when to get medical help for right-sided chest pain is key. It helps avoid serious issues and gets you the right treatment fast. We aim to help you make smart health choices.
Some symptoms with right-sided chest pain need you to see a doctor right away. These include:
Some symptoms need quick attention but aren’t emergencies. These include:
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Persistent pain | Pain that lasts more than a few days or gets worse over time. |
| Recurring pain | Pain that keeps coming back, which might mean there’s an issue. |
| Associated symptoms | Symptoms like fever, cough, or changes in bowel habits with chest pain. |
When you see a doctor, give them all the details you can. This includes:
Being ready and knowing when to get help ensures you get the right care. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Managing and preventing right chest back pain starts with knowing the causes. By understanding these, you can take steps to avoid it. This knowledge helps you reduce your risk of pain.
There are many reasons for right chest back pain, like muscle issues, breathing problems, and stomach disorders. Even heart and nerve issues can cause it. Knowing these can help you manage and prevent it better.
To keep right chest back pain away, live a healthy life. This means regular exercise and eating well. Quitting smoking and managing stress also helps. If pain doesn’t go away, see a doctor for help.
By being proactive and informed, you can lower your risk of right chest back pain. We’re here to support you, providing care and advice for your health. Our goal is to help you live a better life.
Right chest back pain can come from many sources. It might be due to muscle problems, breathing issues, or stomach problems. It could also be related to heart issues or nerve problems.
To tell right chest back pain apart from other chest pains, look at the pain’s feel and any other symptoms. It might feel sharp or spread out. You might also have trouble breathing or feel sick to your stomach. Always see a doctor to figure out what’s wrong.
Get help right away if you have severe chest pain, trouble breathing, or think you’re having a heart attack. If you have ongoing pain, a fever, or signs of infection, see a doctor too. Tell your doctor all about your symptoms so they can help you.
Yes, muscle problems, like strains or costochondritis, can cause pain in the right chest and back. Treatment depends on the problem. It might include physical therapy, medicine, or other steps.
Yes, breathing problems like pleurisy, pneumonia, or pulmonary embolism can cause pain. These need quick medical help, if the pain is bad or getting worse.
Yes, stomach issues like gallbladder disease, GERD, or pancreatitis can cause pain. Getting a correct diagnosis and treatment from a doctor is key to managing these problems.
Cardiac issues like pericarditis or aortic dissection can cause right-sided pain. These are serious and need immediate doctor attention if you’re experiencing symptoms.
Yes, nerve problems like intercostal neuralgia or thoracic radiculopathy can cause pain. Treatment depends on the issue and might include medicine, physical therapy, or other steps.
Less common causes include aortic aneurysm, esophageal issues, or psychological factors like anxiety. These need a doctor’s check-up to find the cause and right treatment.
To manage and prevent pain, know the causes and take steps to stay healthy. This includes a good lifestyle, stress management, and seeing a doctor when needed. Our team is here to help you stay healthy.
Medical News Today. Chest and Back Pain. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/chest-and-back-pain
Healthgrades. Upper Back and Chest Pain: Symptoms & Conditions. https://resources.healthgrades.com/right-care/symptoms-and-conditions/upper-back-and-chest-pain
Vinmec. What Causes Pain on the Right Side of the Chest? https://www.vinmec.com/eng/blog/what-causes-pain-on-the-right-side-of-the-chest-en
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Angina (Chest Pain) – Causes and Risk Factors. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/angina/causes
